Senior Accountant, Inventory Accounting & Analysis

WHSmith North America; Nevada; On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

WHSmith North America is seeking a Senior Accountant, Inventory Accounting & Analysis to manage the financial accounting, reporting, and controls for company inventory assets. You will own month-end and year-end close, inventory journal entries, reconciliations, and stock reserve calculations, driving insights into shrink and obsolescence.

Responsibilities include analysis of COGS, gross margin, and variances, building recurring and ad hoc reports, and partnering with cross-functional teams to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; Accounting degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of progressive accounting, inventory accounting, financial analysis, or audit experience.
• Strong knowledge of General Ledger accounting, journal entries, reconciliations, month-end and year-end close, inventory accounting, and COGS.
• Experience with inventory reserves/provisions (shrink, obsolescence, slow-moving stock, waste, damage).
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables and lookups; ability to build repeatable financial models.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to explain complex financials clearly.

Responsibilities

• Analyze shrink, waste, damage, obsolete and slow-moving stock to identify trends and financial exposure.
• Analyze inventory valuation, cost movements, gross margin, and COGS; investigate variances and explain findings.
• Develop recurring and ad hoc accounting and analytical reports to support close, forecasting, and inventory risk management.
• Collaborate with Inventory Control, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Accounts Payable and others to resolve issues.
• Support physical inventory and cycle counts by validating impacts and reconciling to the General Ledger.
• Identify and improve inventory accounting processes, reserves, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Communicate results, risks, exceptions, and actions to business partners and leadership.
• Prepare and review journal entries related to inventory, COGS, shrink, obsolescence, and reserves.
• Maintain monthly balance sheet reconciliations for inventory and related reserves.
• Ensure GAAP-compliant financial reporting and audit support.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication

Financial analysis

Close collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA credential (preferred)

Tools

SQL

Power BI

Power Query

Great Plains ERP

Job description

The primary responsibility of the Senior Accountant, Inventory Accounting & Analysis is to support the financial accounting, reporting, and control of company inventory assets. This role is responsible for month-end and year-end close activities, inventory-related journal entries, account reconciliations, stock and shrink provision calculations, cost of goods sold analysis, and financial reporting. The position combines strong accounting expertise with analytical skills to identify trends, investigate variances, and provide actionable insight into shrink, waste, damage, obsolete stock, and other inventory-related risks.

Job Responsibilities

• Analyze shrink, waste, damage, obsolete and slow-moving stock, negative inventory, inventory adjustments, and other stock-integrity risks to identify trends, root causes, and financial exposure.
• Analyze inventory valuation, cost movements, gross margin, and cost of goods sold activity; investigate material or unusual variances and provide clear financial explanations.
• Develop recurring and ad hoc accounting and analytical reporting that supports close, forecasting, operational decision-making, and inventory risk management.
• Partner with Inventory Control, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Accounts Payable, and other stakeholders to resolve inventory accounting, costing, cutoff, and reconciliation issues.
• Support physical inventory and cycle count processes by validating financial impacts, reviewing significant adjustments, and reconciling results to the General Ledger and inventory systems.
• Identify and recommend improvements to inventory accounting processes, controls, reserve methodologies, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Communicate financial results, risks, exceptions, and required actions clearly to business partners and leadership.
• Prepare, maintain, and analyze stock provision and shrink provision calculations; evaluate reserve adequacy and recommend adjustments based on inventory trends, risk indicators, and approved accounting methodologies.
• Own and execute inventory-related month-end and year-end close activities, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and adherence to established close timelines.
• Prepare, review, and post journal entries related to inventory, cost of goods sold, shrink, waste, damage, obsolescence, stock provisions, physical inventory adjustments, and other inventory activity.
• Maintain, prepare, and record inventory-related transactions in the General Ledger, with appropriate documentation and audit support.
• Prepare and maintain monthly balance sheet account reconciliations and supporting schedules for inventory and related reserve or provision accounts.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with GAAP, company accounting policies, close procedures, and account reconciliation standards.
• Prepare audit schedules, account support, and documentation for internal and external audit requests.
• Perform work in accordance with company standards, protocols, policies, and internal controls.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; Accounting degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of progressive accounting, inventory accounting, financial analysis, or audit experience.
• Strong knowledge of General Ledger accounting, journal entries, account reconciliations, month-end and year-end close, inventory accounting, and cost of goods sold.
• Experience preparing or supporting inventory reserves and provisions, including shrink, obsolescence, slow-moving stock, waste, and damage.
• Demonstrated financial analysis skills, including trend analysis, variance investigation, root-cause analysis, and clear communication of findings.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, reconciliation-style analysis, and repeatable financial models.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, judgment, and ability to manage deadlines in a close-driven environment.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively across Finance, Operations, and other functional teams.
• Experience with SQL, Power BI, Power Query, or similar data analysis and reporting tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA designation or progress toward CPA certification.
• Retail, distribution, supply chain finance, or high-volume inventory accounting experience.
• Experience with ERP, General Ledger, and inventory management systems; Great Plains and Aptos experience a plus.
• Experience with SQL, Power BI, Power Query, or similar data analysis and reporting tools.
• Experience supporting physical inventory, cycle count, inventory valuation, and audit processes.